In the last decades, an increasing number of antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens, among which, biofilm-associated pathogens, have become an important problem worldwide. It is estimated that, more than 60 % of the human infections are caused by microorganisms able to form biofilms and therefore, avoid the antibiotic and immune system actions. As a result, release of the implant is occurred and subsequent costly implant removal and replacement is promoted. These surgical interventions entail an increase in antibiotic consumption, together with a health cost of about 50.000 – 90.000 € per infection episode.

To counteract the detrimental effects of biofilm infections onto the implanted prosthetic devices the EU “NOMORFILM: Novel marine biomolecules against biofilm” project is focused in the search of new marine biomolecules from microalgae presenting antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. These bioactive compounds will then be incorporated into biomaterials used in manufacturing of prosthetic implants, avoiding the replacement of these devices in patients affected by biofilm associated infections.